Washington ? The Bush administration on Thursday accused former President Clinton of triggering violence in the Middle East with his failed peacemaking effort, then withdrew the assertion as a regrettable mistake.

“No United States president, including President Clinton, is to blame for violence in the Middle East,” White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said as he tried to quiet the storm he ignited earlier.

Clinton’s office issued a statement saying Fleischer’s initial remarks were unfortunate.

“The Clinton administration worked energetically for peace in the Middle East in the tradition of every president for over 30 years, because of the stakes involved and our deep concern that the situation would descend into violence in the absence of peace,” it said.

It all began at the daily informal exchange Fleischer holds with White House reporters.

“In an attempt to shoot at the moon and get nothing, more violence resulted,” he said, referring to Clinton’s attempt to prod Israel and the Palestinians into a settlement, and the violence that ensued after he failed.